AI Billionaire-Backed Group Launches Pro-Data Center Ad Blitz in Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin

August 31, 2026 at 10:18 PM2 min

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Build American AI, an advocacy group backed by AI industry billionaires, launched a multimillion-dollar ad campaign in Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin on Monday. The campaign aims to counter rising public opposition to data center construction, which 61% of US adults opposed in an August poll. The backlash has become a defining issue in midterm congressional elections.

Key Facts

Build American AI launched the ad campaign on Monday, initially targeting Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin.
In August, 61% of US adults opposed construction of new data centers in their area, up 12 percentage points from a February-March poll.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee warned top AI companies that data center support is becoming toxic for politicians.
Ohio Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown is making data center opposition a centerpiece of his messaging against Republican Senator Jon Husted.

Ad Campaign Launch

Build American AI, backed by pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future, announced the campaign in a statement Monday. The group described the budget as in the millions of dollars but did not provide further details. The campaign will initially focus on Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin, where public concerns about data centers have consumed statewide elections.

Public Backlash

Voters have soured on AI data center construction amid rising concerns about electricity costs, power outages and water usage. A June Reuters/Ipsos survey found 75% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans do not want a data center built in their area. The National Republican Senatorial Committee earlier this month warned top AI companies that data center support is becoming toxic for politicians.

Political Fallout

The NRSC memo warned that Ohio Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown is making data center opposition a centerpiece of his messaging against Republican Senator Jon Husted. If Husted loses as a result, the industry will be blamed, the memo warned. Build American AI portrayed data centers as an engine of economic growth, saying driving responsible investment away will cost Americans good-paying jobs and weaken communities.